Chain



J. INGRAM. CHAIN (No Model.)

No. 403,591. Patented May 21, 1889.1

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES INGRAM, OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 403,591, dated May 21,1889.

Application filed March 14, 1889- Serial No. 303,215. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES INGRAM, of Lawrence, in the county of Essex,State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Chains, of which the following is a descriptionsufliciently full,

clear, and exact to enable any person skilledin the art or science towhich said invention 'appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved chain;Fig. 2, a like view of the same, showing the spring distended; and Figs.3, 4, and 5, enlarged sectional views illustrating details ofconstruction.

Like letters and figures of reference indicate corresponding parts inthe different figures of the drawings.

My invention relates especially to that class of chains which areadapted for use in securing animals; and it consists in certain novelfeatures, as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, the object beingto produce a simpler, cheaper, and more effective device of thischaracter than is now in ordinary use.

The nature and operation of the improvement will be readily understoodby all conversant with such matters from the following explanation.

In the drawings, A represents the body of the chain, which isconstructed of links x in the usual manner. To one end of the chain issecured a bar, cl, and at the opposite end a snap-hook or catch, f. Aport-ion of the chain is shortened by pushing the links 00 as closelytogether as possible, and around said portion a stiff coiled spring, D,is disposed. The ends 9 of the spring are clinched around a link, at, ateach end of said portion, between the companion links, as best shown inFigs. 3 and 4.

It is well known that when a chain of this class is employed in securinganimals a sudden strain exerted thereon frequently causes a link tobreak and release the animal.

By employing the spring D, secured to the chain, as described, the chainis relieved of the strain and prevented from being extended to itsentire length too suddenly. The links being grouped within the springalso serves to prevent said spring from being distended sufficiently farto overcome its contractile power.

Vhen the chain has been extended its entire length, the spring incontracting exerts a constant pull upon the animal and tends to preventit from endeavoring to escape.

I do not confine myself to grouping the chain links within the spring,as the chain may be constructed in sections and each section secured toan end of said spring, if preferred.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim is- 1. A chain having acoiled spring interposed between two of its links, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

2. A chain of the character described, provided with a bar at one end, acatch at the opposite end, and a coiled spring interposed in its body,substantially as described.

3. A chain having a portion of its links grouped, and a coiled springdisposed around said portion, with its ends secured to said chain,substantially as described.

4. A chain of the character described, provided with a bar and catch andhaving a portion of its links grouped, a coiled spring being disposedaround said portion, with its ends secured to a link at each end of saidgrouped portion, substantially as described.

5. The chain A, provided with the bar d and catch f, in combination withthe spring D, secured around said chain, the links at thereof beinggrouped Within said spring, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

JAMES INGRAM.

Vitnesses:

JOHN C. SANBORN,

FRANK L. PORTER.

